A/N Another key character is introduced and a bit more of the plot is revealed. Yep, it's gonna get sticky.


Chapter 11

The Doctor and Rose worked together on the ailing TARDIS until the afternoon light began to fade outside. Rose remembered their invitation to dine with the King and reminded the Doctor of their commitment. Though the Doctor had been curious to meet King Zerin, he was also reluctant to leave his work on the TARDIS. But in light of the considerable hospitality they had been shown, keeping the accepted invitation was the least they could do, Rose reasoned to him. The Doctor agreed, but he told Rose to head back first to get ready and he would meet her there after he had completed just a little more work, wanting to continue for as long as possible.

Rose returned to their chamber in the castle, and after cleaning up, prepared to change into something more suitable for their evening affair. She stood in a dressing gown in front of the wardrobe, contemplating which dress to choose when there was a knock at the door.

Rose opened it and was greeted by Nahlia who had come not only to assist her in getting ready, but had brought another gown for Rose to wear specifically for the occasion. She assisted Rose with her hair, styling the blonde tresses in elegant ringlets swept up atop her head and accented with a shimmering crimson ribbon interwoven throughout the elaborate coiffure. She then helped Rose into the lavish deep crimson gown, the lush material similar to crushed velvet. The low-cut, off-the-shoulder neckline was trimmed in a scalloped gold cording, and at the back, gilded crisscross laces extended down the center to her waist. A golden sash accented the form-fitted waist, and matching cording wove around the center of each sleeve, the long bell sleeves then fanning out elegantly at the ends. The full skirt with its drapes of sumptuous fabric then extended in a flowing train about three feet in length.

Rose stood in front of the room's mirror, gazing at her regal reflection. "Blimey, I feel almost like a Queen," she remarked.

"And as well you should," Nahlia replied with a significant look and slight smile. "You are indeed lovely."

The door to the chamber then opened behind them as the Doctor returned and stepped in, his agitated voice filling the room without preamble.

"The dimensional stabilizers are even worse than I thought. They've suffered synaptic adhesion!" he practically bellowed, tugging at his hair with a growl as he paced the room. "I'm going to have to re-route the gravimetric anomalisor because the main stabilizer is fused. Either that or construct a primitive RDS out of the drive circuits. But then I'd have to attempt to deactivate all drive circuits, reverse the polarity of the main warp feeds, regrade the deoscillation digretic synthesizers by minus ten points, realign the maxivectormeter on drags so they cross connect with the radia-bicentric anodes, and..."

His rant came to a sudden stop as Nahlia stepped aside from Rose and he set eyes on her for the first time since coming in. He just stared, mouth noticeably slack. His wide eyes slowly traversed down her elegant form, lingering on her accentuated curves, before coming back up and reaching her face again. He swallowed visibly.

Nahlia moved towards the door, offering both a smile. "Well, I think my work here is done. Now if you will excuse me. There will be escorts waiting at your door shortly to usher you to the dining hall."

"Thank you," Rose replied distractedly, her eyes still locked on the Doctor's. She couldn't help it. She was mesmerized by a look in those dark brown orbs she had never quite seen. If she was able to elicit such a look dressed this way, she briefly wondered of the look she would have been privy to if he had been able to see during their shared bath.

The Doctor's thoughts of what he too might have seen were following a similar path...

The intense look passed though, the Doctor managing to snap himself back to the realm of capable speech. But just because he was capable of speech didn't mean it was going to be brilliant. "You...you've changed clothes, I see."

A very slow smile crept across her face. Rose glanced down at herself, then back up at the Doctor through lowered lashes. "What, this?" she asked coquettishly. She bit her bottom lip and swayed just a little bit closer. That look in the Doctor's eyes had made her feel just a bit daring as she lowered her voice, her words coming out smooth and silky. "You like it, then?"

The Doctor's eyes, which had strayed somewhere in the definite vicinity of her low neckline, snapped back up to hers. He blew out a stream of air past his lips. "Ohhh, I'm just...very much appreciating having my eyesight back." His eyes widened slightly at having said that out loud and in such a...deep voice. He cleared his throat. "That is...I'm able to appreciate the contrast of colors and textures." His gaze started roaming again as he elaborated. "The rich, deep velvet against your smooth, ivory skin..." His voice dropped low, and Rose's ivory skin was taking on a pink blush. "The visual effect is...gorgeous."

Before Rose could even attempt to form a reply, the Doctor suddenly reverted to science mode and effectively killed, well, whatever it was that had seemed to be developing. He seemed to have a knack for doing that at crucial moments, she realized. Irritating, that.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "The visual perception of color alone is a fascinating thing. Why, did you know that the absorption spectra of the blue, green and red cones in the retinas overlap, and the perception of intermediate hues results from differential activation of more than one type of cone at the same time? For instance, yellow light stimulates both red and green cone receptors, but if the red cones are stimulated more strongly than the green cones, one sees orange instead of yellow. And when all cones are stimulated equally, we see white. Isn't that brilliant!"

"Fascinating," Rose replied dryly. "To give a real treat to your retinas, I'll have to wear a neon, tie-dyed T-shirt sometime."

"Ooh, that reminds me of a coat I once had..." The Doctor's voice trailed off, lost in reminiscing thought as Rose rolled her eyes.

Rose gave his own appearance a once-over and noticed that despite the TARDIS repairs he had been engaged in all day, the Doctor still somehow managed to look clean and fresh in his brown pinstripes, light blue Oxford and swirly tie. It must be a special alien ability. However he managed it, at least he appeared to be ready.

"You all set then?" she asked, gathering up her flowing skirt and draping the train over one arm to make walking a little more doable. Gorgeous as the gown was, it wasn't very practical. Rose just hoped she wouldn't have to run.

The Doctor nodded and extended his arm to her in gallant fashion, still spellbound by his companion's beauty, even though he'd managed to subdue his reaction. Gaping all night would hardly be appropriate, no matter how visually stimulating. "May I accompany you to the royal dining hall, Dame Rose?"

Rose took his arm, her own voice prim and proper. "You may, Sir Doctor."

Their dignified expressions split into grins, wide and silly as they stepped out the door together. They were met in the hall by two royal escorts assigned to accompany them.

"Oh, hello! I'm the Doctor and this is Rose. You two lads must be our official escorts, tour guides, and otherwise royal entourage to make us feel spectacularly grandiose. Not that I usually need an extra reason to feel that way, mind you, with me being...well...me. But still..."

The two men simply bowed their heads in a respectful nod.

"Talkative pair," the Doctor leaned into Rose and murmured.

"Maybe they would be if you'd give 'em half a chance," she quietly replied back with a smirk.

He shrugged. "Someone has to lead the conversation. Well then...off we go! Dinner awaits!"

Following their escorts, the Doctor and Rose made their way through the winding stone corridors of the castle and down a series of steps until they reached the dining hall, located in the south wing on the lowest floor of the palace. As expected, it was a sizable space. A large, three-tiered candle-lit chandelier hung from the lofty wood-beamed ceiling. It was centered over the long, stately dark wood table, the place settings made of the finest silver. Though the table appeared massive enough to accommodate at least a hundred or more, the places at the near end of the table were set for just seven – three on each side with the King's place reserved at the head.

The guests were just beginning to assemble as they awaited the arrival of King Zerin, but upon entering, Rose had already caught the intense focus of one older man in particular whose status placed him in the position to persuade the decisions of the King, and his mind was already set on what that decision should be.

The Doctor and Rose were both seated on the left. Beside Rose sat Shadarra, who herself wore an elegant gown in a similar off-the-shoulder style as Rose's, though of a satiny material in a shade of periwinkle that complimented her unique porcelain tones. The two exchanged pleasantries and the Doctor also introduced himself. The aged man along with an older woman, both of whom the Doctor and Rose had not previously met, sat across from them, the man's focus still fixed on Rose. Like Shadarra, the couple appeared to be of the Jezrian descent, their regal appearance suggesting a position of influence.

Though not much was said beyond hello, Rose couldn't help but notice the way the man in particular seemed to look at her, almost as if she was being studied. The Doctor didn't seem to notice this as he took in the architecture of the grand room. Rose purposely broke eye contact with the older man and began a trivial conversation with the Doctor just to ease the tension she was feeling beneath the man's stare. Beside the aged couple sat another man in imperial military attire who Rose recognized as being with the King the day she and the Doctor were first taken to the castle. He was the one who rode ahead to alert the King's physician to be on standby.

Within a few minutes of being seated, the King's arrival was announced by a royal officer standing in position at the entrance to the dining hall.

"His Majesty, King Zerin of Zobulan. All rise in honor of the King."

Everyone at the table did as directed, heads bowing slightly as the King approached and took his place at the head of the table, the Doctor and Rose following the custom of the others.

King Zerin's gaze lingered for a moment on Rose. Not as noticeably-long as the Doctor's had, but still... Any man could see how exceptionally lovely she looked this evening. The Doctor just happened to develop a tickle in his throat at that moment and simply had to clear it. Zerin's eyes then fell to Shadarra, a warm smile coming to his face as their eyes met.

"Be seated, please," he bid them all with a smile and a downward gesture of his hands. The formal atmosphere seemed to relax after that as the royal attendants then began serving the meal. A large roasted fowl was carved and served along with a variety of steaming root vegetables and warm, fresh bread, and a few other soufflé-type dishes Rose couldn't quite equate with anything familiar, but a reassuring nod from the Doctor gave her the courage to accept a few on her plate none the less, despite the bright blue color of one of the dishes.

"Doctor," Zerin began as the King addressed him individually for the first time, "I am very glad to see you are recovering so quickly, and I am also glad to finally have the opportunity to meet you properly. I understand it was your act of selfless courage that saved your friend, Rose."

Rose cast a glance at the Doctor and could see guilt flash over his features in regards to the crash. He certainly didn't see his actions as praiseworthy. "That's right, he did," Rose interjected with sureness.

The Doctor smiled politely to the King in return as he replied only in regards to his condition, purposely glossing over the rest. "Well, I've always been quick to recover, me. And I'm very glad to be meeting you as well. Thank you very much for the hospitality you've shown to me and Rose in our...unfortunate circumstances."

"Think nothing of it." Zerin's gaze briefly lingered again on Rose. "You are both most welcome here for as long as you wish to stay. Now, allow me to make introductions. Rose, you have already met Lady Shadarra, I understand." Rose turned towards her, smiled and nodded.

The Doctor leaned over. "Oh yes, we've just met, too. Hello again!"

Shadarra smiled politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Zerin gestured across the table from them to the man on his immediate right. "And this is my First in Command, Amron." The man nodded to them both. "Beside him is Eilam, honored Elder and Advisor to the kingdom. And his wife, the Lady Shaleah."

The Doctor and Rose exchanged hellos with the three across from them once again.

"So, Elder and Advisor," the Doctor began as the meal commenced, curious to learn more about the structure of Zobulan's Royal Regime. "Is that a role appointed with each new monarch, or is it a continuing position?"

"Elders are not appointed," Eilam explained, his voice strong and commanding despite his age. "We are of a single bloodline, the position one of inheritance. The succession of Elders from the same house of Zobulan has continued for generations, our counsel undisputed, regardless of which side of the kingdom has taken the throne. Though tracing back to Jezrian origins, Elders have long since proven to have only the good of Zobulan as a whole at heart, never choosing one side over the other. To have someone who possesses this rare impartiality serving as Advisor is invaluable for any Ruler. I myself have stood as Advisor to the past four Kings of Zobulan."

The Doctor lifted a brow. "You've had quite the longevity in your position."

He nodded. "Indeed. And often our Rulers do not. Despite an Elder's wisdom, the hearts of a divided people bent on conquering the other is not something that can easily be dissuaded, though Elders throughout history have always encouraged the road of peace whenever possible."

Rose looked to Zerin. "And...how long have you been on the throne?" she questioned, knowing Shadarra's uncle had fairly recently proceeded him.

"My reign began not quite three years past. But unlike so many before me, my ascent to the throne was without bloodshed. I am of the Royal line of Krendor, my grandfather having preceded the previous King. But despite my Krendorian lineage, I have also found rare favor among the Jezrians, even before taking the throne. Serving as the Krendorian's Chief military officer, I sought to bring peace to both sides and end the prolonged fighting that had been taking place on the fields of Shaldon. I negotiated a rare treaty of peace and earned the trust of Zobulan's former King, Kezra, and with it the trust of the Jezrians. And with his passing in old age, which left no child as heir, my subsequent reign was undisputed."

"Well, it sounds like the fighting is over for the people of Zobulan, then," Rose noted with optimism.

Zerin smiled wanly. "I wish it were true. But Zobulan has known periods of peace in the past. Even if a Ruler is favored by both peoples, it is a peace that never lasts, particularly once an heir is produced." There was a pause of silence before continuing. "If I were to marry a woman from among my own people, signifying the continuation of a purely Krendorian monarchy, the unrest would begin. And the day a first born child was brought into the kingdom is the day the fighting would resume in earnest. The Jezrians might accept me for the time being, but they would not accept the continuation of a fully Krendorian rule. And such would be the case with a Jezrian kingdom, and so on. It never ends. The heart of the fighting has always been over which side will possess the throne."

The Doctor swallowed the bite of food he had been thoughtfully chewing. "Why?" he questioned. "Why such animosity between the two races to begin with?"

"That traces back to ancient times," Eilam spoke up. "The people from the plains of Jezria first sought to rise up as the dominant race and put the Krendorians beneath them. The Krendorians eventually revolted against their oppression, seeking their own possession of the throne."

"The two have sought to suppress the other and take rule throughout Zobulan's history," Amron added matter-of-factly, his tone revealing that fighting was almost a way of life for the two races. "The discord has only grown throughout the generations as more battles are fought and more blood is shed."

Rose looked between Zerin and Shadarra, two from the opposing races who obviously resided in mutual peace and respect. And now that she'd actually had a chance to see the two of them together, noting their demeanor and the glances exchanged, Rose was beginning to see that maybe they held feelings for each other that went beyond simply friendship. If there was one thing Rose could recognize and identify with it was unspoken longing for someone else. But why would unfulfilled longing have to be the case for these two? she wondered, seeing what seemed to be an obvious solution in all this.

"What if a Krendorian King were to marry a Jezrian?" Rose put forth curiously. "Wouldn't a royal line created between the two be accepted by both peoples?"

The Doctor smiled proudly at her logic. Leave it to Rose to see a solution. Yet they learned it wasn't quite so straightforward. Zerin glanced briefly at Shadarra, then away. "If only it were that simple," he replied quietly.

Eilam's wife Shaleah spoke up and explained. "There have been rare instances of the two races marrying, though it is usually...kept quiet. But never has it occurred among a house of royalty. The two could never create a united lineage. It would result in nothing but a fruitless union."

Shadarra spoke then in a subdued voice, clarifying Shaleah's statement. "The Jezrians and Krendorians are incapable of reproducing together, which some have suggested is further proof that the two were always meant to be at odds." Her eyes flicked to Zerin before focusing down at the table. "A joint heir between the two would never be possible, and thus a union would do nothing to advance the kingdom for either side."

The Elder cleared his throat, taking a sip from his goblet before placing it back down. "There will be lasting peace ushered in to Zobulan one day, however," Eilam stated, glancing significantly at Zerin. "One day soon."

"And you know this because...?" the Doctor questioned.

Amron shifted in his seat, seeming to grow uneasy with this line of conversation and abruptly cut in. "Your Majesty, if you will excuse me. I need to ready the men for their training excursion to the Tipron Valley at dawn. I really should return to them."

The King nodded in consent. "Very well."

Amron stood and bowed, then left the dining hall.

"As I was saying," Eilam continued, "throughout Zobulan it has long been foretold by tradition of old that the union between a highly favored King of Zobulan and a woman from a distant world, a woman neither Jezrian nor Krendorian who possessed great knowledge and insight through her familiarity with the kingdoms of many worlds, would bring about through such a marriage a new race to sit upon the throne, favored and accepted in the eyes of all for generations to come. Through this new awaited lineage, enduring peace and stability would be ushered into the kingdom at last."

A startling thought briefly passed through Rose's mind, but she quickly dismissed it as insane. She was a south London shop girl from a council estate, for heaven's sake – although the Doctor had made her see that she was more than she had once given herself credit for. But still, she had to chuckle inwardly at the passing thought.

The Doctor didn't even entertain the possibility of a connection to Rose. Not realizing just how rare instances of outside visitors were to Zobulan, he overlooked what would soon become obvious in that statement, instead focusing cynically on the improbability of their belief that such a union could really bring peace. "So you're holding on to hopes of lasting peace based on...what? Some ancient legend?" the Doctor queried.

"As fanciful as it may seem to some, it is better to have a hope of lasting peace than none at all," Zerin replied solemnly.

Shadarra dipped her eyes before looking back to the King. She wanted nothing greater than lasting peace for this war-torn world. But that didn't mean it was painless for her knowing that the man she had inwardly come to love – despite the standards of their world – was now undoubtedly going to seek a union with another woman. She had suspected this was going to be the case the moment she learned of Rose's arrival. She tried to focus on the good for Zobulan alone and put aside her own personal feelings. It wasn't as if the dictates of the realm would have allowed her and Zerin to be anything more to each other, regardless of this woman now in their midst. But it was becoming clear to her what Eilam was going to urge Zerin to pursue, and right now she just wanted to distance herself from it all.

Shadarra spoke up. "Your Majesty, if you will excuse me as well. I'm...growing tired and would like to retire for the evening."

He immediately rose to his feet and extended his hand to her as she stood. "Yes, yes of course." His eyes met and held hers briefly before he gently released her hand. "My Lady."

She smiled back at him slightly, then took her leave from the room.

The Doctor and Rose finished their meal, answering some questions themselves about their origins and travels, but keeping some things vague simply because it would no doubt be difficult for those of Zobulan to understand the half of it. Even though these people were able to grasp the idea of travel to other worlds, travel through time was another matter entirely. It still had Rose a little confounded at times as it was.

Never the less, hearing even the edited version of the Doctor and Rose's enthralling travels convinced Eilam all the more that Rose was the one destined and suited to be Zobulan's fabled Queen.

-:-:-:-

Afterwards, everyone returned to their respective quarters, including Eilam's wife, but Zerin and Eilam remained longer to speak privately once all the others had gone.

Now alone, Eilam turned to the King, his aged eyes focusing sharply. "She is the one, Zerin. I am certain of it."

Zerin took a long sip from his goblet before answering. "I agree that it is certainly a high possibility, and one that I have been contemplating since their arrival. But how can you be so assured this soon?"

"How can you have any doubts?" the Elder retorted. "After what has been foretold...just think of it – she is unclaimed by another and traveling only with her physician, she arrived in such a way as for us to have seen it and been aware, and has arrived now during your reign of favor – there is no question whatsoever."

Zerin leaned forward in contemplation, folding his hands and resting them on the table. "Even if this is the case, I still believe we should proceed gradually with this. There is no need to rush anything. She has only just arrived and is still adjusting. We don't even know how she would feel about something like this or her willingness to remain. If this is truly meant to be, then it will happen. True destiny is not something that should have to be forced or rushed."

"No, destiny is not something that should be treated with indifference and allowed to slip by," Eilam countered strongly.

"I have welcomed them into the very palace and offered to meet any and all needs. That is not indifference," Zerin answered.

"That is simply hospitality. No true action has been taken here." Eilam straightened and looked the young King squarely on. "Perhaps you have other reasons for hesitance? Have you allowed your heart to become divided?" Zerin's jaw tensed. "Perhaps it has been a mistake all along to allow Shadarra to reside at the palace. Do not think I have not seen how the two of you react in each other's presence. Is it possible your judgment has been–"

"Do not bring Shadarra into this," Zerin quickly cut in. "My heart is, as it has always been, for the good of Zobulan alone, but I will not have you speak of displacing her. Not only is her position here as representative for the Jezrians a valuable one, but I gave my sacred word to the former King that she would continue to have sanctuary within the palace, and as a man of my word I will uphold that until the day of my death."

The Elder paused, regarding the King carefully. "Just remember where your heart does lie, Zerin. Do not forget that I also served your grandfather. As you well know, he was a man of blood-thirst, seeking only war and domination. His actions brought even more destruction to this realm and destruction upon himself because he did not heed my council. Do not make that same mistake and shun my wisdom, because it is needed. You are inexperienced. You were not raised in the palace and your father never even held the throne."

"My father," Zerin cut in sharply, "is the reason I am on the throne today. I am fulfilling the promise I made to him the day he died in battle – the promise to end the bloodshed and take my place as Ruler in peace. Which I have, and I will continue to sustain that. This is my commitment."

"Yes, you have brought a measure of peace and tolerance through your example," Eilam conceded, then narrowed his eyes. "But do not allow arrogance to take hold and deceive you into thinking that because you have found favor in the eyes of the people that your kingdom is now beyond the reach of demise. You have the potential for greatness beyond which any King has ever known. I can see that clearly, which is exactly why your full destiny must now be seized." He gave Zerin one last measuring look. "And never forget that every Ruler of the past who foolishly disregarded the word of the Elders met with swift and total ruin."

With that he stood and left the room.

The sound of the Elder's footsteps faded. After a few minutes, Zerin stood and left as well, slipping out into the night to walk the eastern courtyard as the weight of the kingdom and the expectations of his reign pressed heavily on his shoulders.